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Brief Synopsis

Molly's husband Rick was a gang leader somewhere in the middle west. When he's shot, the tough woman moves to S.F. with a couple of the gang to start anew. Disguised as a noble woman, she and her gang rob security transports. But when one day Rob confesses to her that he killed Rick out of jealousy, she shoots him down immediately. In lack of proof she can't be convicted for the murder, but she goes to jail for the robberies. It's a new and very open female prison, where she learns a profession for the first time in her life.

After the murder of her gangster husband Rick, Molly announces that she is taking over his gang. The men in the gang agree, but Anne, the girl friend of member Rod Markle, is upset, as she suspects that Rod is romantically interested in Molly. Later, when the end of the war is declared, Molly and the gang decide to rob an expensive San Francisco jewelry store, using the celebration as a cover for their activities. After breaking in through the bootery next door, the gang inadvertently activates the jewelry store's alarm system, which sets off both an alarm and chemical gas. One of the men, Cash Brady, is gassed, and they are forced to leave him behind. Molly wonders aloud if Anne was behind the failed robbery, after which Rod not only confesses his love to Molly, but admits that he killed her husband. The upset Molly pulls out her gun and shoots Rod just as Cash, having eluded the police, arrives. Cash then disposes of Rod's body and places her gun atop a telephone booth in their apartment building. As she enters her apartment, Molly is arrested by police captain Breen for grand theft. After Rod's body is found, Breen then questions Molly about the gangster's murder, but she remains silent. Anne visits Molly in jail and vows revenge for the death of her boyfriend. Molly is tried and convicted of grand theft and is sent to the women's penitentiary in Tehachapi. After two weeks in hospital quarantine, Molly is integrated into the prison population, where she is soon given the "silent treatment" for her uncooperative ways. During a meeting, prison staff members state their belief that Molly is acting out of fear, and must be "hiding something." Molly is indeed tormented by the thought that the police will find her gun, but finally puts aside her fears and becomes a productive member of the prison population. After six months in prison, Molly is brought before the prison board of trustees, where she is told that she has been given a seven-year sentence, but with good behavior, she could be released in as little as three years. Molly's good news is dampened by the arrival of Anne, who has purposely gotten herself convicted of forgery so that she can confront Molly and avenge Rod. Just before Molly's first parole hearing, the prison suffers a series of thefts and the stolen items are found in Molly's cell. Molly convinces her fellow inmates to allow her to find the real thief, and she later forces Anne to confess to the thefts. Soon thereafter, Molly is paroled to Los Angeles and is warned by her parole officer not to leave the city or have any contact with her old gang. She then gets a job with dress manufacturer Chris Revo. Soon, Molly and Chris are dating, but Molly's happiness is cut short again by Anne, who informs her that Cash has been arrested for murder. Knowing that Molly is planning to return to San Francisco, Anne telephones Breen. The policeman watches Molly as she retrieves her gun, then follows her back to his office, where she has gone to turn herself in. Cash is then brought before Molly and he confesses to the crime. She protests that he is just trying to protect her, but the gangster tells Molly that she only wounded Rod, so he "finished the job." Breen confirms that Cash's gun was the real murder weapon and Molly begins to cry, realizing that she can finally begin to lead an honest life.